Help?

[Pea and rock]

hi my gins r only 8 months old. They have the total run of my garden they r like little invaders and come to the back door every morning 4 food generally loving life... Only now the cold weather is here I am panicking if they r warm enough!? I have a shed but think it would be cruel after all the freedom they have to lock them away!? I have got a heat pad and have little boxes stacked with hay and blankets to keep warm only they r playin out all day I'm scared they get cold! I was thinking about maybe making little coats out of socks but I am concerned it irritates or harms the skin of furr? Does anyone know if this will be ok? Thanks in advance!

 

[sport_billy]

Hello, yes they will need to be indoors or an insulated shed in the winter. Guinea pigs do not cope well with extremes of temperature. I take it your garden is very secure against predators?
Have a read of this thread here Cold Weather Care For Guinea Pigs

Please do not make clothes for piggies, they can be very restrictive and dangerous.

Welcome to forum

 

[Pea and rock]

I can't bring them indoors as there isn't room but will have to put them in shed. And maybe let them out through the day! Yeah high secure l fences the only predator is next doors cat which they have taken a liking to and all sit together... very strange and funny to watch! They chase him around and iv caught him in the hutch with them snuggled think this is why I don't want to kick them away they have a great little adventurous life ha!

 

[Wiebke]

I can't bring them indoors as there isn't room but will have to put them in shed. And maybe let them out through the day! Yeah high secure l fences the only predator is next doors cat which they have taken a liking to and all sit together... very strange and funny to watch! They chase him around and iv caught him in the hutch with them snuggled think this is why I don't want to kick them away they have a great little adventurous life ha!

Hi! Please have a read through the link that @sport_billy has given you; it has lots of tips on how you can make the shed warmer in the winter. Cold and dampness can kill; you also want to make sure that the shed is safe from rats and mice.

I would not let your piggies roam in awful weather and only if they have the option to return to the dry warmth of the shed or another dry and warm place under their own power at all times.

 

[Pea and rock]

They have an opening that they just wander as and when I don't leave them out!? It's free guinea will!

 

[Wiebke]

They have an opening that they just wander as and when I don't leave them out!? It's free guinea will!

Be aware that rats can also get in and that they kill guinea pigs. You may want to close the opening at night.

The ones in my garden have come in via mole tunnels underneath the hedge and the fence to set up home in a suitable corner for three winters in a row; I had to have pest control out every year. We saw the rats scampering around our garden even in the middle of the day.